Liquid tank for concrete mixing apparatus



Dec. 22, 1931. J. E. BUSHNELL 1,337,203

LIQUID TANK FOR CONCRETE MIXING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1928 anoen'tozPatented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED ATES PATENT] OFFICE JAMES E. BUSHNELL,or'rron'rn rLAmFIELn, mzw 1mm, assmnon'ro RANBOME CONCRETE MAUHINEBYCOMPANY, 01?; PLAINHELD, NEW JERSEY; A. CORPORATION or NEW JnnsnrApplication filed A pri1 2 192s; SeidaLNo. 273,215. g

The present improvements relate, primarily, to concrete mixing apparatusand more particularly to a water measuring means used in conjunctiontherewith; They may be utilized, however, for the dispensing of liquidsfor various purposes. 7

In devices adapted for preparing, freshly mixed concrete for placement,it has become of increasing importance that a definite proportion ofwater and dry aggregates, etcrbe maintained for each given batch, 'Astheproportions. for each batch to -be mixed may vary, it is essential thata measuring means for the water bejprovidedwhi'ch, not only willaccurately measure the quantityto be discharged intothe mixer but alsowill be rugged and durable, simpleto operate,have a minimum of parts andfunction'withiequal accuracy onall grades inwhich the apparatus may bepositioned. v

The present improvements a have as their primary object, among others,the provision of a measuring tankembodying the features above set forth.A furtherobj'ect is to provide means for predetermining the tankdischarge including an adjustable outlet means for the tankadapted to beset in a plurality of positions, Various other objects and advantageswill occur to those skilledin the art upon reference to the accompanyingdrawing in which i i 7 A tank is illustrated in section, embodying oneform of the present improvements, parts being broken away.

In theillustration, the measuring tank 1 may be of any sturdy anddurableconstruction and is preferably mounted on the frame of a concretemixer (not shown), adjacent thereto, or in any other suitable positionfor facilitating discharge of its contents into the mixer. r

A coupling 2 is mounted in air and water tight relation through tank top3,"havi'ng pipe sections 4 and 5 communicably connected therewith. Asillustrated, pipe section 5 communicates with sections 6 and 7 throughsuitable elbows 8 and 9. The arrangement of the sections just describedprovides a siphon structure comprising an intake or short leg 4, crest 6and longer discharge accordingly leg 7, as more fullyhereinafte'rreferred to. A suitable three way valve 10 is provided, asillustrated, at the juncture of water supply inlet 11, and dischargepipe 12. In one position of valve 10, pipefll andpipe 7* are incommunication while-pipe 12 is closed to both, in, another positionpipes 7 p and 12 are in communicatiomwhile pipe 11 is closed to both.

The pipe section 4 of theshorter orintake leg of thesiphon is providedwith an elongated intake port or slot l3-,fextending substantialdistance throughout the length of the section 4, as illustrated. Theendoi said section 4, is provided with aisup ort or hearing 14, securedthereto in any esired manner and serves to support a movable sleeve 15surrounding pipe section 4. In the present instance, said sleeve 15 ismounted for rotation with respectto pipe 4, having snugfairtight contacttherewit As illustrated, s1eeve 15 has a spiral slot or port 16 whichdescribes one complete revolution minus the width of port 13, around thesleeve within the limits of slot 13 in pipe 4. Fixed to the upper end ofsleeve 15, is a gear 17 in mesh with gear 18 of an actuating mechanism.Said gear 18 is suitably mounted on shaft 19, which extends through tanktop 3 in air and water tight relationship and bears in a'housing 2( lconveniently mounted on the tank." The shaft'19 is provided with abevelgear 21 in meshfwith'a similar gear 22 on shaft 23,which is providedwith a hand wheel 24. Suitable indicating means 25 are provided asillustrated. An air vent valve (not shown) is provided in the tank top3.

Due to the arrangementof slots 13 and 16, a

water inlet and outlet for the tank is afforded by the registrationofsaid slots. To charge the tank and then the air vent valve (not shown)is automatically closed by the water. controlled by plug 26. Anyconvenient means The tank 1 and siphon comprising pipes 4 to 7 arefilled with water and in this state are ready for operation. It is thusseen that since supply pipe 11 is always in communication with the tankand siphon in. this ready position of the system, the siphon dischargemeans is constantly primed.

The predetermined amount of water to be discharged from the tank forcommixture with the dry aggregates in the mixer (not shown) is now setby actuating the hand wheel 24. The latter is thus rotated until theindicator 25 registers the amount desired. This rotation of wheel 24,through the actuating mechanism above described, operates gears 18 and17 thus causing sleeve 15 to rotate with the consequent movement of slot16. Since pipe 4 having slot 13, remains fixed, the point of register ofslots 13 and 16 will accordingly he changed and the port 16, establishedby the coincidence of these two slots, maybe positioned at any level inthe tank within the limits, of the vertical slot 13.

y In the presentillustration, it may be assumed that the sleeve 15 hasbeen set, and accordingly the port 16 provides an outlet for the tankand an intake port for the siphon. The valve .10 is now actuated to cutoil supply pipe 11 and establish communication between pipes 12 and 7.Thesiphonic discharge is immediately incepted and the water from tank 1discharges through the siphon and pipe 12 into-the mixer (not shown).Obviously, accompanying this initial discharge the airvent valve (notshown) will admit air to the top of the tank and the water level in thetank will lower until the level of port 16 is reached. At this point airwill enter port 16' and break the siphon, thereby permitting no morewater to discharge from the tank. Should it be necessary to supply asmaller quantity of water with the next batch to be mixed, the handwheel 24 may be rotated until the port 16' (established by registrationof slots 13 and 16) is positioned, say, at 16". Upon openingof va'lve10,admitting water from supply pipe 11, the tank will fill through the portat 16 When full, the valve 10 may be actuated to close oil supply pipe11, and the siphon will function as before, but only that water in thetank above the level of 1 6 will be discharged. When said level isreached, air will enter the port at 16", breaking the siphon and nofurther discharge from the tank will be possible.

' It is thus seen that a measuring tank has been devised, the dischargefrom which is controlled by a movable intake on the short leg of thesiphon. This movable intake, obviously also provides a movable inlet forthe tankas wellas a movable outlet therefor. A drain or clean out forthe tank 1 may be provided and in the present illustration is formaintaining an air tight relation between pipe 4 and sleeve 15 may beprovided, as for example, grease ducts or grooves on one or both sidesof slots 13 or 16 paralleling same, said grooves obviously being oneither the internal face of sleeve 15, or the external face of pipe 4,or on both.

The air vent valve (not shown) may be of any suitable design butpreferably is of the type set forth in applicants copending applicationfiled May 2, 1928, Serial No. 27 4,416.

In assembling the device herein disclosed, the indicating means is, ofcourse, adjusted to compensate for that amount of water contained in thelegs of the siphon.

Any valve arrangement for controlling pipes 11 and 12 may be substitutedfor that illustrated, so long as the functioning thereof issubstantially the same as that herein set forth.

Various modifications within the scope of the present improvements, willoccur to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departingfrom the purview of the invention. 7

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a water tank having acharging means, a siphon communicating therewith having an elongatedport through the intake leg thereof. a movable sleeve intimatelyassociated with said leg and closing a portion of said port, andactuating means for said sleeve to vary the position thereof relative tosaid port.

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a watertank, a siphon communicating therewith affording charging anddischarging means for said tank. a three way valve controlling saidsiphon normally permitting charging of said tank and prim.- ing of'saidsiphon and a member in telescopic association with the shorter. leg ofsaid siphon and movable with respect thereto for 1 predetermining thetank discharge.

3. A water tank. siphon means afi'ording charging. and discharging meansfor said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes saidsiphon, and means movable relative to the shorter leg of the siphon forlengthening or shortening the effective length thereof. said movablemeans surroun ding the axis of said leg.

4. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon meanscommunicating therewith, a rotatable sleeve intimately associated withthe shorter leg of said siphon, said sleeve and leg being perforatedwith a portion of a leg perforation registering with a portion of asleeve perforation.

5. A device of the character described comprising a water tank, siphondischarge means therefor, said means having'an elongated tubular memberassociated therewith, said member having an aperture between its ends,said member being movable relative to the shorter leg of the siphon.

6. A device of the character described comprising a water tank, siphonmeans for charging and discharging said tank, means movableconcentrically with respect to the shorter leg of the siphon forlengthening or shortening the effective length of same, and actuatingmeans for said second named means.

7. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon meanscommunicating therewith, a movable sleeve intimately associated with theintake leg of said siphon means, said sleeve and leg each having anelongated aperture, one of the apertures being angularly disposed to theother aperture, and means for actuating said sleeve for causingregistration of portions of said apertures.

8. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon meanscommunicating therewith, a rotatable sleeve associated with the intakeleg of said siphon means, said sleeve and leg each having an elongatedaperture, one of the apertures being helical, and means for actuatingsaid sleeve for causing com munication between portions of saidapertures.

9. In a device of the character described the combination of a watertank, a siphon communicating therewith afli'ording charging anddischarging means for said tank, and a member in telescopic associationwith the shorter leg of said siphon and movable with respect thereto forpredetermining the tank discharge.

10. A water measuring tank having a charging and discharging mechanismcomprising a siphon and adjustable means intimately associated with aleg of the siphon and surrounding the axis thereof for varying theeffective length thereof.

11. A water tank, siphon discharge mechanism therefor having an intakeleg, means for breaking the siphonic action thereof comprising a membermovable over a portion of said leg, said leg and member havingcooperating means defining an opening therethrough.

12. A water tank, siphon discharge mechanism therefor having an intakeleg, means for breaking the siphonic action thereof comprising a tubularmember surrounding the axis of said leg and intimately associatedtherewith, said leg and member having cooperating means defining anopening for breaking the siphon, one of the elements, having part of thecooperating means, being movable relative to the other.

13. A water tank, siphon means affording charging and discharging meansfor said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes saidsiphon and fills the tank to a level above the intake port of the shortleg of the siphon and movable means for varying the position of the saidport of the siphon relative to the said level for lengthening andshortening the effective length of the short leg of said siphon.

14. A water tank, siphon means aifording charging and discharging meansfor said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes saidsiphon and fills the tank to a level above the intake port of the shortleg of the siphon and movable means for varying the position of the saidport of the siphon relative to the said level for lengthening andshortening the efiective length of the short leg of said siphon, saidmovable means including a tubular member in communication with the longleg of the siphon and having said intake port, and means for adjustingthe effective intaking position.

Witness my hand this 25th day of April, 1928, county of Middlesex, Stateof New Jersey.

JAMES E. BUSHNELL.

